Page 29 – Sustainability Academy

The number of studies in sustainability doubles every 8 years. The green chemistry industry is set to grow to $100 billion by 2020. Over 43% of executives expect their companies to align sustainability goals with their corporate image. The International Society of Sustainability Professionals lists a dozen job boards geared toward sustainability professionals. Yes, the field of sustainability is growing.

And so are career opportunities. Careers in sustainability range from the highly technical to the administrative, with lots of room in between. In demand jobs include sustainability consultant, campus directors and managers, CSR professionals, green building professionals and investment advisors. Chief sustainability executives average over $165,000 in annual salaries. Even entry level managers earn over $40,000 with a median salary for managers of $72,000.

While campus sustainability director may be the hot career, opportunities are unlimited. Just as sustainability requires a systems approach, sustainability professionals can fit anywhere in the system. In the most recent Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program led by the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE), professionals in Human Resources, HSE, real estate, NGOs, manufacturing, apparel, food and beverage and environmental consulting attended. Energy companies, government agencies, NGOs and most of the Fortune 500 have been represented.

Why would seasoned professionals and those new to the workforce take on more education? Improving credentials can lead to a pay boost, facilitate upward mobility, ensure job security, and increase an employee’s value to their company.

Most importantly, those acquiring skills in sustainability have an overriding love of and concern for humanity. Whether the concern be directed toward water or food, waste or energy, human rights, employee satisfaction, livability or prosperity, sustainability practitioners work toward a better world.

With legislation increasing year after year, stakeholders demanding attention to environment, social and governance factors, with the triple bottom line at stake (people, planet, profit), corporations and organizations need professionals ready to handle the nuances of intertwined systems. They need employees trained to see the value-added of a sustainable supply chain and the pitfalls of greenwashing.

Sustainability skills can come from an expensive degree or “on the job” (with inevitable mistakes and time-consuming trial and error). CSE offers an in-person Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program, held around the world, next in Dubai, Nov. 26-27, 2017, and Atlanta, March 8-9, 2018. The Sustainability Academy offers online, affordable, self-paced courses that range from the fundamentals to specialized topics such as Social Return On Investment. CSE has over 10 years of experience, and Nikos Avlonas, president and founder of CSE, was recognized as a CSR Professional of the Year by PR News in 2017.

However, you choose to secure your sustainability education, with global crises manifesting daily and increased consumer concern, you know there is and will be an endless demand for your sustainability skills.

CSR professionals and Social Responsibility

The CSR field in the UAE is gradually gaining increased importance and priority among the governmental, social and business communities. However, a CSR professional needs to be constantly alert regarding the latest trends and legislation, and to effectively perform his objective: to create and implement an organization’s social responsibility strategy. Among the Sustainability professional’s tasks is the responsibility to approach consumers/clients through PR and Marketing and convey the message of the organization’s ethical standards and their commitment to them.

Ethical standards and the “Hypocrisy”

However, ethics have been regurgitated over the years and are taking different forms each time and according to the latest trends. Turning on your TV or the internet you come across numerous examples of unethical behavior which are perceived as “normal” nowadays.

At the same time, social media have made a dynamic entrance in our lives. It is very common for people to try and paint a picture about themselves which is not entirely true. In a similar way this “hypocrisy” has knocked the door of organizations – which are after all a human construction – and has encouraged them to go with the flow and portray themselves as socially responsible, sensitive and environmentally virtuous. More and more companies tout how they reduce carbon emissions, or use natural ingredients, friendly to the environment, respect their employees or try to eliminate poverty. That is why we are coming across “blue washing” and “green washing” more and more.

Authenticity and CSR

Still, people and organizations that genuinely care for the environment and the society still exist. Perhaps they are not as unconditionally righteous as most companies try to appear, but they are authentically moral and environmentally and socially-conscious. The difficult part is for them to stand out. However, castles built on the sand will eventually perish. Consumers may be eager to be fooled at times; still their insight in the end is impressive. There is actually a way to do sustainable business and still increase profitability, CSE’s Certified CSR Practitioner program in Dubai covers all chapters of Sustainability and shows organizations the way to be authentically sustainable.

From the organization’s part, sincerity, not exaggerating about your undertakings, even coming out and saying you made a mistake, will be greatly appreciated. Authenticity is a timeless value; it gives birth to great developments and speaks to the essence of us all. CSR professionals owe to be authentic, to be genuinely interested in what they stand for and to give their best to their cause. They may be working for a company; still they are, after all, somewhat of the social workers of the entire world.

The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #6 is to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. The good news: Between 1990 and 2015, the global population using an improved drinking water source increased from 76% to 91%.

In part, we can thank sustainability practitioners. The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) follows trends and helps train sustainability practitioners to understand the complex interrelated issues surrounding water.

The bad news: we need many more people addressing these issues. Poor water management still accounts for millions of deaths a year with almost 1,000 children dying due to preventable water and sanitation-related diarrheal diseases – EACH DAY!

Materiality issues surrounding water range from access to clean water infrastructure, to pollution of water sources, to depletion of natural water supplies. Corporations, organizations and local governments each must address water concerns within their manufacturing processes and supply chains.

After Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico, a tropical island with tremendous rainfall, is suffering water shortages. But it’s not the water delivery system; it’s the damaged electricity infrastructure needed to power delivery. For every direct link to water there are indirect considerations. The Louisiana waters of Lake Pontchartrain and its wildlife are threatened by an oil rig on fire miles from its shores.

While progress has been made, in the UK in 2016, sewage water plant failures increased for the first time since 2012 while the WWF standard of “good” ecological status for UK waterways went down from 2010 status.

With rising populations, increasing urbanization and climate change, water concerns will affect every community, every manufacturer, all agriculture and even energy. Hydropower is the most widely-used renewable energy and represents 16% of total electricity production worldwide.

Questions addressing water metrics, best practices and role in sustainability reporting will surely arise in the next CSE program in Atlanta next March. In July 2017, there was a citywide boil water advisory. The city is home to water dependent Coca-Cola. And, Atlanta is currently embroiled in a US Supreme Court case on water rights.

With 70% of our bodies and 70% of our planet composed of water, its protection is literally a matter of life and death. Good corporate citizens need to know how to measure their own impact and set goals to improve sustainability within companies and their communities.

The Atlanta Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program (Advanced Edition 2017) in March 2018, the Sustainability Academy and CSE clients such as Heineken are addressing these concerns to improve reporting and hence planning, rain or shine.

Voluntary Implementation of CSR for private companies

According to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Economy, implementation of CSR will be on a voluntary basis for companies. UAE’s National Strategy has the objective to boost companies to reinforce their philanthropic and charitable contribution, using six main chapters. This CSR program is part of this strategy and is expected to awaken companies into caring for their environmental and social footprint in the country.

The Steps Towards Sustainable Mobilization

The ministry is going to determine a minimum percentage per year allocated to CSR by companies. Additionally, the use of a National CSR Index will allow the ranking of the country’s bodies according to the percentage of their charities and projects. The results from the National CSR index and the CSR Annual Report will be publicized on Zayed Humanitarian Day in June 2018. Relevant awards are expected to be granted to companies standing out for their special contributions.

A Smart CSR platform will help the implementation of the country’s companies CSR initiatives. Companies will be able to register, browse through the multiple fields of CSR initiatives and use the various guides and tools to help them in the implementation of their CSR strategy.

The Prominent Need for Companies’ CSR Strategy

The ultimate goal of this movement is to create a shared platform for companies to materialize their CSR programs, to form partnerships among the public and the private sector and to generate a general interest and attention towards Corporate Social Responsibility. To that end, the need becomes prominent for organizations to be motivated concerning CSR and to be able to create and implement Sustainability strategies.

CSE’s Certified CSR Practitioner program in Dubai provides all the latest practical tools and resources required to implement or upscale corporate sustainability in order to drive organizations’ initiatives to the next level by generating value and creating effective strategies. Organizations need to equip themselves with the necessary skills and resources concerning CSR in order not only to stand out in the crowd but to survive as well.

Canada specific findings to be presented next in Toronto to mining, pharmaceutical and energy sector executives

CHICAGO, Oct. 04 /CSRwire/ – Research from the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) has identified positive links between having a sustainability strategy, goals and reports to having improved financial performance. CSE closely tracks sustainability reporting trends in Canada and the USA. CSE’s Sustainability Reporting Trends in North America 2017, along with last year’s findings on Silicon Valley, represent an ongoing commitment to provide timely and relevant sustainability content for C-level and upper management to corporations around the world.

Findings of the new CSE research were presented for the first time in New York City during CSE’s Global Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program. The encouraging findings were welcomed by VPs from companies and organizations as diverse as Xylem, Coca-Cola, L’Oréal, HD Supply and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Next, CSE will present findings specific to Canada this October in Toronto.

Important insights include:

most significantly, that companies with the highest sustainability rankings had better financial performance than companies with lower sustainability rankings based on CSRhub ratings, and
poor adoption of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Only 6.2% of the companies in the study integrated SDGs in their sustainability reports.

Other key trends include:

Sectors with the highest reporting presence— Energy and Energy Utilities, Financial Services, Food & Beverage, and Mining.
Most companies publishing a sustainability report are public companies whose global presence makes reporting a necessity to abide by international legislation.
Most companies use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines.
Most reports did not have external assurance.
Carbon footprint reduction has become a priority with many companies having well-stated and measured goals and targets.

CSE’s Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program (Advanced Edition 2017) offers corporate trainings on these key topics and many others. Click here for agenda. The next 2017 program is in Toronto, October 26-27, where research focused on Canada will be presented. Other North America trainings will be held in San Diego, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2017, and Atlanta in 2018.

Highly sensitized to the importance of conserving the environment for future generations and striving for sustainable development, Canadian public and private organizations, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, academics, think tanks, scientists, industry associations took action to contribute to the government’s efforts.

The result was depicted in the 2016–2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), which links the Canadian sustainability priorities with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its global sustainable development goals (SDGs). The 13 aspirational goals laid out in this strategy are a Canadian reflection of the SDGs, acknowledging the unique responsibilities to achieve low-carbon, environmentally responsible economic growth, maintaining and restoring the ecosystems.

Recently new regulations came to effect to allow for a cleaner economic growth, while reducing pollution and providing a healthy environment for all. With Canada’s oil and gas sector being the country’s largest factor for climate-warming and air pollution, it was a necessary action, with Canadian businesses doing their part to actively support this global shift towards a clean-growth economy.

Toronto is one of the C40 countries, a network of cities around the world fighting climate change and working for a more sustainable world. By facilitating dialogue amongst city officials, cities can tailor their own actions to their unique situations and join forces to access partnership resources, including technical and financial support, at a lower cost and with less resources. The result is more GHG reductions and more impactful and effective measures in fields such as transportation, urban development, business and innovation, waste and water, energy and buildings.

Toronto also shows top activity in the green roof project, leading the way in the 2016 Annual Green Roof Industry Survey! In fact, in 2010, the city passed a first-of-its-kind Green Roof Bylaw in North America that required new commercial, institutional and multi-family residential developments to cover between 20 and 60 per cent of their buildings with vegetation.

So, yes, Canada is both passionate and knowledgeable about sustainable development. And it is obvious that parties from all sectors and layers of business and science are working together to achieve a more sustainable future.

For dedicated sustainability practitioners business professionals who want to sharpen their skills and expertise and contribute to the country’s sustainable development, we provide advanced certified Training Programs in Toronto, October 26-27.

If you too want to make an impact and become a Certified Sustainability Practitioner, while keeping up to date with latest trends and best cases, don’t miss the opportunity to register!

Sources

1/ http://www.fsds-sfdd.ca/index.html#/en

2/ http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-to-reduce-emissions-from-oil-and-gas-industry-624353794.html

3/ https://www.sustainablebiz.ca/newsletter/green-real-estate-news-september-4-2017/

4/ https://www.sustainablebiz.ca/2017/07/27/green-roof-revolution-taking-root-canada/

CSE free webinar will discuss research findings from Canada and the US which can help corporations improve sustainability and profitability.

CHICAGO, Sep. 21 /CSRwire/ – The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) released its second study looking closely at sustainability reporting trends in North America. Sustainability Reporting Trends in North America 2017provides a valuable representation of Sustainability (Corporate Social Responsibility) reporting by companies and organizations that are based in North America. This research identifies links between having a sustainability strategy, goals and reports to improved financial performance.

An important insight to be covered during the Oct. 11, 2017, CSE live webinar is the less than stellar adoption of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since the SGDs came into force on 1 January 2016, they have not been widely used by the companies in North America. Of the 551 companies in the study, only 6.2% integrated SDGs in their sustainability reports.

While the introduction and implementation of SDGs is in the initial stage, there are many opportunities for businesses to incorporate these universally adopted goals. We estimate that 41% of businesses will embed SDGs into their strategy and the way they do business within the next five years, and 71% of businesses say they are already planning how they will engage with the SDGs.

The SDGs provide a global framework for national efforts to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity. They provide specific targets for each goal, defining global priorities and aspirations for 2030. Companies can maximize their contribution to the SDGS by aligning their strategies with the goals. However, most companies are not engaging despite the key role they play in achieving the SDGs’ ambitions. The Sustainability Academy, with online courses and free modules, offers a quick and efficient way for companies to acquire SDG basics to begin this process.

For North American companies reporting SDGs, not all are equally represented. Only 6% have integrated all 17 SDGs in their reports. Notable stand-outs include Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Intel, Biogen, Cisco and Praxair. Also included are Coca Cola, MillerCoors, Merck and Pepsi, managers of whom have trained with CSE’s Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program.

Of the companies in the report, most (74%) have integrated some of the SDGs, and 21% of companies at least mentioned them, stating going to review, assessment and intent to integrate the goals. This percentage is considered extremely high, given that for this reporting period, the SDGs are a recent development.

Register for free, live webinar on Sustainability Reporting Trends in North America

October 11, 2017, 10amET

We expect the prominence of SDGs in company strategy and reporting to rise significantly in the next reporting period as companies see their importance for strategy and sustainability goal setting practices. CSE’s upcoming Certified Sustainability Practitioner Programs (Advanced Edition 2017) offer corporate trainings in Toronto, Oct. 26-27, San Diego, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2017, and Atlanta, March 8-9, 2018.

Global decarbonization process constitutes a paramount challenge for GULF countries, which need to move from business-as-usual to sustainable finance, thus having to counter attitudes embedded in the ways the Arab political economy is organized. International decarbonization policies put into question the established social contracts in the region.

Questions regarding future prosperity of GULF countries could therefore be framed as part of an in-depth discussion about the relationship between rents and sustainable development.

Middle East’s development experience

Libya, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Saudi Arabia derive more than 40 percent of their GDP from oil and government activities that are heavily funded from oil revenues. In Qatar, Algeria, UAE and Bahrain this share varies between 40 percent and 20 percent (Figure 1). Non-oil and non-government sectors in all these countries are often linked to oil and government activities.

IMF, World Economic Outlook database, accessed in September 2017

At the moment, the economies of GULF oil and gas exporting countries (such as Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) are still largely based on oil and gas industries, or government activities that are funded mainly with oil and gas revenues. In these countries, oil and gas are both the primary source of fiscal revenues and make up the predominant share of exports. Indeed, they make up more than 50 percent of total exports from GULF oil and gas exporting countries (Figure 2).

IMF, World Economic Outlook database, accessed in September 2017

However, oil and gas dependence has wider macroeconomic implications for exporting countries. It also impacts areas such as employment and labour productivity (Figure 3). In oil and gas exporting countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, more than 60% of domestic citizens are employed in the public sector.

International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database, accessed in February 2017

Connecting the dots between oil, economics and politics in GULF

Unemployment, a bloated state, a weak private sector and limited political evolution are some of the region’s pathologies, ultimately rooted in an economic structure heavily reliant on external rents (whether derived from oil, aid or remittances) which have little to do with the production processes in their domestic economies (Rentier State Theory).

While remittances can improve financial intermediation, they can also depress growth in the long term. By providing the necessary foreign exchange cushion, remittances can shield countries from economic crises, thereby weakening incentives for economic reform. In GULF countries, a key feature of both aid and remittances is their high correlation with oil prices. The oil price is, therefore, a fundamental driver of these cross-border financial flows (Figure 4).

Source: Ahmed, F. (2012)

All across GULF countries the financial sector has suffered from a weak pace of reform. With the exception of Africa, most regions have made more significant progress on financial development than has the Middle East. Even within GULF countries, the Arab oil exporters have been extremely slow reformers.

Such resilience to reform is explained by the links and disjunction between economy and society, in rentier states. The fundamental principle of democracy, ‘No taxation without representation’, finds in rentier states its mirror image. Untaxed citizens are less likely to demand political participation. Alongside that, according to rentier mentality, income is not related to work and risk bearing, but to chance or situation. Rentier states tend to give rise to real estate, construction and financial speculation, as the preferred avenues for diversification.

State of play

This global energy architecture is currently undergoing a structural transformation, prompted by international decarbonization policies and technological advancements. Over-reliance of GULF countries on the oil rent, the lack of economic diversification and the incompatibility of current GULF macroeconomic models with a global decarbonization pathway consistent with the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC 2015) function as catalysts for new thinking throughout the GULF countries about sustainable finance and future prosperity.

It is thus important for sustainability professionals to assess the potential impact of international policies on GULF countries to understand their future outlook. Moving from traditional to sustainable finance means having to counter attitudes that are embedded in the ways their economic systems are organized. Shifting away from them requires new ways of operating effectively.

CSE training in Dubai, November 5-6, 2017 provides Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Program now for the concerns of tomorrow.

References

Abulof, U. (2015) ‘“Can’t buy me legitimacy”: the elusive stability of Mideast rentier regimes’, Journal of International Relations and Development, February: 1-25

Ahmed, F. (2012) ‘The Perils of Unearned Foreign Income: Aid, Remittances, and Government Survival’, American Political Science Review, 106(1), 146-165.

Al-Khatteeb, L. (2015) Gulf oil economies must wake up or face decades of decline, Brookings Doha Center, Doha

Barajas, A., R. Chami, , C. Fullenkamp, , P. Montiel and M. T. Gapen, (2009). Do Workers’ Remittances Promote Economic Growth?, Working Papers 09/153, (Washington D.C: International Monetary Fund)

Beblawi, H and G. Luciani (1987) The Rentier State (London: Croom Helm).

Creane, S., R. Goyal, A. Mobarak, and R. Sab (2003) Financial Development in the Middle East and North Africa (Washington D.C.: IMF)

Mahdavy, H. (1970) ‘Patterns and Problems of Economic Development in Rentier States: The Case of Iran’, in Cook, M. A. (ed), Studies in Economic History of the Middle East, Oxford University Press, Oxford

The terms of the Paris Agreement will deliver results, Canada, the EU and China agreed at a summit in Montreal this weekend. Ahead of a UN General Assembly meeting in New York this week and the COP23 climate summit in Bonn in November, Canadian, EU and Chinese officials met in Montreal on Friday and Saturday (15-16 September) to present a united front against the United States on climate action. Washington has come to deny that the US is planning to stay in the accord.

More than half of G20 members, representing most of the world’s largest economies, attended the Montreal summit, “this first gathering of its kind aims to further galvanize global momentum for the implementation of the Paris Agreement,” said Jean-Claude Juncker. The President of the European Commission has reaffirmed the EU aim of being “at the forefront of the fight against climate change”.

Effect of current pledges and policies on global temperature

In the absence of policies, global warming is expected to reach 4.1 °C – 4.8 °C above pre-industrial by the end of the century. The emissions that drive this warming are often called Baseline scenarios (‘Baselines’ in the above figure) and are taken from the IPCC AR5 Working Group III. Current policies presently in place around the world are projected to reduce baseline emissions and result in about 3.6°C [1] warming above pre-industrial levels.

Source: Climate Action tracker (2016)

The resilient architecture of the Paris Agreement

The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement has made its implementation more challenging. Far from bringing international climate action to a standstill, the US government’s position has, on the contrary, prompted decision-makers in Montreal to reaffirm their commitment to the implementation of the Paris agreement.

“The United Nations General Assembly brings together international leaders from business, government & civil society to showcase the unstoppable momentum of Climate Action”, has twitted today Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, Catherine McKenna. “Climate change is real and affects the most vulnerable people on earth. We all need to curb carbon emissions”, she adds.

China, the world’s largest emitter (responsible for 26.83% of global greenhouse emissions), committed to reduce CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 60 to 65% below 2005 levels by 2030. The country is also set to launch its own carbon emissions trading system, the biggest in the world, this year. By joining forces with China, the EU has the opportunity to be at the helm of the global transition towards a low-carbon economy.

All over the world efforts by cities, states and corporations to fight global warming have put the U.S. halfway toward its Paris climate accord goal. In the private sector, commitments by companies to wean themselves off fossil fuels and source power from wind and solar farms have also been a key driver so far.

These conditions provide fertile ground for Canada to play a leading role in the long process to turn the commitments made in Paris into concrete actions.

The Montreal meeting precedes the international summit set to be held in France on the 12th of December to review progress on the climate accord.

Would it be better for international climate governance if Trump stays out of the Paris Agreement?

The answer is definitely “NO”. The US government’s current unwillingness to participate in the collective effort to limit the rise of global temperatures constitutes an obstacle to the implementation of the Paris agreement. Hundreds of corporations and world leaders are lobbying the United States to stay in the pact. The transition towards a low-carbon economy has already begun with the recognition that climate change mitigation can lead to economic growth and job creation. The current dynamic for strategic partnerships seems positive.

CSE trainings in Toronto, Oct. 26-27, and San Diego, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, provide Certified Sustainability (CSR) Training Programs that respond to current and future challenges.

Are US & Canadian companies effectively communicating their sustainability efforts? Free CSR trends webinar Oct. 11 https://buff.ly/2yjQDkZ

ABOUT CSE

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) specializes in global sustainability consulting, coaching and training. CSE has trained over 5,000 professionals, many from the Fortune Global 500. CSE is accredited by CMI (Chartered Management Institute) and is a GRI certified training provide

References

New York Times, September 18, 2017, “Trump Adviser Tells Ministers U.S. Will Leave Paris Climate Accord”

Joe Ryan, September 18, 2017, “Cities, States and Businesses Put U.S. Halfway to Paris Goal”, Bloomberg Politics

Simone Tagliapetra, September 18, 2017 , “Trump and the Paris Agreement: better out than in”, Bruegel Blog post.

Euractiv, September 18, 2017, “Trump told that Paris Agreement is ‘irreversible and non-negotiable”

https://phys.org/news/2017-09-canada-china-eu-partners-paris.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html

As companies position themselves as good corporate citizens, Sustainability Reporting becomes increasingly important. Non-financial Sustainability Reports are one of the most useful and powerful tools a company can wield.

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence’s annual research, 2017 Sustainability Reporting Trends in North America, looked at 551 unique reports covering sectors, size, ownership, standards and guidelines used, external assurance practices, carbon footprint goals and financial performance.

We found that almost two thirds of companies with the highest CSR rankings achieved better financial results than companies with lower rankings. We gathered data from CSRHub, a global sustainability ratings agency, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) platform, publicly available financial and annual reports and the Nasdaq platform.

CSE’s findings are consistent with other research which indicates that sustainability reporting and comprehensive sustainability strategies are good for businesses: EY – improved reputation; McKinsey – short- and long-term value; the Conference Board – increased disclosure; Ethical Corporation – communications case studies.

What makes CSE research stand out is the correlation of sustainability reporting, sustainability ranking and profitability. The findings are clear. Companies which pay attention to the many factors related to sustainability and make the effort to report these findings, have a positive outcome in their financial performance.

Stakeholders are asking companies to be transparent beyond financial performance. Companies who wish to communicate their actions and efforts towards sustainable development, purposefully put themselves in positions where transparency is imperative. They must “walk the talk” and demonstrate results. It is worth mentioning that the sectors with the highest reporting presence are Energy and Energy Utilities, Financial Services, Food & Beverage, and Mining, while as noted in CSE’s 2016 research on Silicon Valley, tech firms and other sectors are surprisingly under-represented.

Additionally, the adoption of the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) has proceeded slowly in North America. However, 41% of businesses are expected to embed SDGs into their strategy and business practices within five years, and 71% of businesses say they are already planning how they will incorporate the SDGs.

CSE’s global research and experience indicate that important factors to successful Sustainability Reporting include training executives and employees, to align skills with mission, compliance with Comprehensive Standards for Reporting such as GRI and actively seeking external verification and assurance. Although North American companies have not attained the most prominent role in Sustainable Reporting, as soon as value creation is realized, reporting will become a necessity and key part of business excellence.